Taking stream flow measurements in Sturgeon Bay. Image credit: Megan Jensik
By Megan Jensik, Freshwater Collaborative summer research student
This summer, 35 undergraduate students from across the country conducted research with Freshwater@UW, the University of Wisconsin’s cross-site, cross-discipline research opportunities program. Freshwater@UW is supported by the Freshwater Collaborative, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Water@UW–Madison, the Water Resources Institute and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School. In the final weeks of the program, students reflected on what they learned. Here’s Megan Jensik, an undergraduate junior in biology from the University of Central Florida-Orlando, who worked with Greg Kleinheinz, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
As I sat on the boat coasting along the Fox River, I felt like a kid again, my feet dangling over the seat as we sped around Little Muskego Lake, heading for the sandbar for a day of swimming. But now, 15 years later, this was my job! We were collecting samples to analyze for nutrients, chlorophyll and more. During a day of learning field sampling techniques, I got a nasty sunburn, but it was one of my favorite days of the whole summer.
A few weeks earlier, I headed to Door County for more field sampling. In Sturgeon Bay, we collected data on stream flow and health. We spent the day in the river, taking flow measurements, but it never felt like work. It made me remember when I was a kid, catching frogs and kicking around in the water in the small creek behind my childhood home.
An algae bloom in Lake Winnebago. Image credit: Megan Jensik
Every week, I traveled around Winnebago County to collect samples for my project. I got to explore local lakes and see both their beauty and reality. Some days the water was clear and beautiful. Other days, algae blooms and dead fish littered the shore. When I returned to the lab, I analyzed my samples and gained a quantitative understanding of what’s happening in these lakes. I used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine concentrations of the toxin microcystin. I correlated these to phycocyanin measurements that I took in the field with a probe. I was able to relate and connect what I saw in the field to what I analyzed in the lab.
Experiencing fieldwork this summer helped me remember why I love what I do. As much as I love lab work, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the beautiful environments that I work in. Being in the field reminded me of why I’m so passionate about what I do and why I chose to do this work.
A boat trip for sampling along the Fox River. Image credit: Megan Jensik
It also reminded me that I want to dedicate my work to protecting the environment around me. It can be difficult to see the challenges of aquatic ecosystems firsthand, but I’m always comforted by the people I’m surrounded with who are working so hard to protect these beautiful lakes. Sometimes caring for the environment can be an emotional and professional burden, but it’s a burden I’m willing to carry if it means I can continue to protect this world.
I’ve been so lucky to travel to my home state and perform research that I’m passionate about. Fieldwork helped me remember my younger self and the desires that brought me where I am today. I’ve also been inspired to continue my work and research in graduate school. This summer solidified how much I want to continue this work. I’m very grateful for these experiences!